Sled Trailer advice... Please

[Billy Tillamook]

I bought a sled and trailer with surge brakes on the trailer, they weren't hooked up properly and I'm not sure they are now. I took them in to get fixed, but I can't really tell any difference. As I put the brakes on I get a pretty healthy clunk from the trailer...almost like someone ran into me from behind at slow speed. How should these surge brakes act? Is this clunk normal? Sorry for the stupid question, but I just don't know how they're supposed to act? Any help/advice would be appreciated.

[MacEFL]

I towed a twenty four footer with surge brakes from Hammond and they clunked the whole way. The owner said that is the way they are! I could tell that they were slowing the rig doan though.

[Boatdog]

Here is some interesting reading from a while back...

Surge Brakes (http://www.ifish.net/forum/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB1&Number=609688&Forum=, c1,&Words=surge%20brakes&Searchpage=1&Limit=100&Ma in=608154&Search=true&where=bodysub&Name=&daterang e=1&newerval=6&newertype=m&olderval=&oldertype=&bo dyprev=#Post609688)

[Billy Tillamook]

Thanks....Why the heavy clunk when I apply the brakes though?

[SlipKnot]

Your trailer is probably a Tricker Trailer?

[8bait]

Just adjust your brakes so that when you spin the wheel(jack it up first) theres just a little drag not much just a little, then have someone manualy apply the brake while you spin it the wheel should just stop and the clinck will be gone should do this agjustment about once a year depending on how much you tow your trailer, also greese up the unit that moves back and forth within the tounge.
Hope this helps
:smirk: :smile: :smile:

[Sled Dog]

Does the trailer clunk or is it your hitch and its fit with the stinger attached to your tow vehicle. Do you get a cluck when you start and when you stop?

[rv10pilot]

I have a Tricker Trailer and it doesn't clunk.


rv

[gljjr]

The clunking is from excesive travel of the actuator due to the brakes being out of adjustment or having a bad master cylinder. Most likely being out of adjustment. My trailer does this too but the brakes do work. I don't like to have my brakes adjusted too tight so I live with the clunk. I leave mine slightly loose as I don't get as much heat generated from the brakes rubbing. This helps prolong the bearing wear IMHO. I'm seriously thinking of changing to disk brakes on the trailer though as they are so much easier to flush out after using the trailer in the salt.

[KChookem]

If not the brakes, several other possibilities come to mind, particularily since the trailer is new to you.

Check your receiver, stinger, hitch ball, etc., for looseness.

Check to be sure you do not have excessive play or looseness in the tongue portion that clamps down and locks over the ball (I believe you want it a bit loose so the tongue does not bind on the ball, and unscrew the ball from the nut holding it in place).

Check the nuts on bolts on the trailer, particularily the axle to frame.

Check to make sure your boat is not sliding on your trailer, giving you the clunk.

[Spinhead]

gljjr took the words right outta' my mouth (exc. the discs thing)! That's exactly what's happening. Either adjust 'em to your liking, or go to electric. I like the surge brakes, I don't want to chance the electrics somehow getting shorted by water.